Chables cotton



(No Model.) G. COTTON.

WAGON RACK;

N0. 289,234. Patented'Nov. 27, 1883.

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t UNHE STATES PATENT -FFlC-E..

CHARLES COTTON, OF OLEAN, NE\V YORK WAGON-RACK.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 289,234, dated November 27, 1883. Application filed August 8, 1883 (No model.)

To. all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES CoTToN, a citizenof the United States, residing at Olean, in the county of Gattaraugus and State of New York, have invented a new and useful Hay, Grain, or Stock Rack, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in combined hay. and stock racks; and it has for its object to provide a rack which shall be capable of separately performing the functions of either of these devices.

WVith these ends in view my invention consists of a platform mounted upon a series of transverse beams secured to longitudinal beams by means of tenons and dowel-pins, the said platform and cross-beams being transversely slotted, in which slots are fitted curved standards connected together by means of longitudinal rails or strips, a ladder being secured to one end of the platform, and a crossbar, against which the ladder abuts, and the forward standards, whereby a hay-rack is constituted. WVhen it is desired to convert the device into a stock-rack, the sides are removed and the standards 011 each side placed in mortiscs formed in the other side, whereby the curvature of the standards is reversed, end pieces are fitted between the sides, and a cover consisting of two or more longitudinal strips connected together by means of bars is placed upon the upper rails, all of which will more fully hereinafter appear.

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, and on which like letters of reference indicate corresponding parts, Figure 1 represents an end elevation of my invention, showing the hay-rack5 Fig. 2, a perspective view, showing the same when constituting a stock-rack; and Fig. 3, a cross-section showing the manner of connecting the standards with the transverse beams and the platform.

The letter A indicates a platform, the same being constructed, preferably, of wood, and mounted upon a series of transverse bars, A, the ends of which bars are provided with tenons.

The letter A indicates longitudinal side beams provided'with mortises, which register with andwhich are adapted to receive the tenons on the ends of the transverse bars, dowel-pins be'in g employed an d driven through the tenons to hold the parts together.

The letter A refers to a series of curved standards, the lower ends of which are provided with tenons, which fit snugly into mortises A formed in the platform and the trans verse bars A. The mortises A are inclined, and the upper inner edges of the longitudinal beams A are notched, so as to receive the standards A" and allow them to incline outwardly, so as to increase the capacity of the hay-rack.

It will be seen by reference to Fig. 1 that the sides of the rack have been changed-that is to say, that the left side has been placed in of two bars, 13, converging toward their upper ends, and connected together by cross'pieces B and B. The upper bars are mortised, and the pieces tenonecl for this purpose, the protruding ends of the tenons being provided with dowel-pins, whereby the parts are securely held together.

In order to afford a rest for the ladder, I provide a brace, O, which is bolted to the two N ear one end of forward standards immediately in front of the ladder.

When it is desired to convert myhayrack into a stock-rack, the sides are changed from one set of mortises to the other, placed in an upright position, and the cover applied, as seen in Fig. 2, the said cover consisting of a series of transverse bars, 0, having their sides near their ends notched, so as to fit over the edges of the upper rails B, two or more longitudinal rails, 0', being secured thereto by means of bolts or screws.

The letter D indicates the end pieces of the rack when used as a stock-rack, the said pieces IOO being notched on their edges near their upper ends, so as to receive the two. upper rails B. The end transverse beams G are provided with apertures, through which pass vertical bolts E, the said boltsbeing also passed through the platform, and provided on their lower ends with screw-threads toreceive nuts, whereby the cover is firmly held down upon the upper rail and secured in its place. I also provide at one end of the rack the transverse bolt E, which passes through two of the longitudinal rails B, and is provided with a nut, so as to draw the sides toward each other.

In order to prevent the displacement of the hay-rack upon the wagon-truck, I provide the longitudinal side bars, A", with cleats, between the-ends of which the bolster-standards areadapted to fit. I also provide the side bars with metallic plates, which receive the abrasive action of the forward wheels of the truck in turning.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

The combination, with the platform A, mounted upon transverse bars A, secured to the side beams, A said beams being provided with inclined notches A, of the curved standards A, having the bars B secured thereto, notched end boards, D, rods or braces E, a cover, 0", and frame B B substantially as set forth.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto affixed my signature in presence of two witnesses.

CHAR-LES COTTON.

\Vitnesses:

A. L. COLONY, F. E. BENEDICT. 

